Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2003;84:1854–7

High-frequency vibration training increases muscle power in postmenopausal women

Russo CR, Lauretani F, Bandinelli S, Bartali B, Cavazzini C, Guralnik JM, Ferrucci L.

Abstract 

Objective:   To test whether training on a high-frequency (28Hz) vibrating platform improves muscle power and bone characteristics in postmenopausal women.

Design:  Randomized controlled trial with 6-month follow-up.

Setting:  Outpatient clinic in a general hospital in Italy.

Participants:  Twenty-nine postmenopausal women (intervention group, n=14; matched controls, n=15).

Intervention:  Participants stood on a ground-based oscillating platform for three 2-minute sessions for a total of 6 minutes per training session, twice weekly for 6 months. The controls did not receive any training. Both groups were evaluated at baseline and after 6 months.

Main outcome measure:  Muscle power, calculated from ground reaction forces produced by landing after jumping as high as possible on a forceplate, cortical bone density, and biomarkers of bone turnover.

Results: Over 6 months, muscle power improved by about 5% in women who received the intervention, and it remained unchanged in controls (P=.004). Muscle force remained stable in both the intervention and control groups. No significant changes were observed in bone characteristics.

Conclusion:  Reflex muscular contractions induced by vibration training improve muscle power in postmenopausal women.

Keywords:  Bone density, Exercise, Muscles, Postmenopause, Rehabilitation, Vibration, Women